iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 13 – Check Which One Is Best & Why?

Apple iPhone 13 & iPhone 12 Pro share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the Apple iPhone 13 rather than the iPhone 12 Pro. 

Why Do I Recommend The Apple iPhone 13

  • The Apple iPhone 13 has a more powerful A15 Bionic chip for faster performance, improved power efficiency, and enhanced graphics processing compared to the iPhone 12 Pro’s A14 Bionic.
  • The Apple iPhone 13 has a larger battery with a larger 3240 mAh capacity for providing up to 19 hours of video playback, compared to the iPhone 12 Pro’s 2815 mAh battery.
  • It features improved camera performance with Cinematic mode for professional-looking videos, while the iPhone 12 Pro lacks this feature.
  • The Apple iPhone 13 has a brighter OLED display with better color accuracy for improved outdoor visibility and enhanced viewing experiences, compared to the slightly dimmer display on the iPhone 12 Pro.
  • The Apple iPhone 13 comes with a base storage of 128GB to store apps, photos, and videos without additional cost, compared to the iPhone 12 Pro.
  • The Apple iPhone 13 has improved low-light performance with its dual-camera system, capturing clearer and brighter images, while the iPhone 12 Pro lacks the updated sensor-shift stabilization.

Maybe the iPhone 12 Pro price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the Apple iPhone 13. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.

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Side By Side Comparison

FeatureApple iPhone 13iPhone 12 Pro
Release DateSeptember 2021October 2020
Dimensions146.7 x 71.5 x 7.7 mm146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm
Weight174 grams189 grams
Material (Frame)AluminumStainless Steel
Material (Back)GlassTextured Matte Glass
ChipsetA15 BionicA14 Bionic
RAM4GB6GB
Main CameraDual 12MPTriple 12MP
Battery Capacity3240 mAh2815 mAh
Battery Life (Video Playback)Up to 19 hoursUp to 17 hours
Battery Life (Audio Playback)Up to 75 hoursUp to 65 hours
Charging Speed20W Fast Charging20W Fast Charging
MagSafe ChargingYesYes
Storage Variants128GB, 256GB, 512GB128GB, 256GB, 512GB
ColorsRed, Starlight, Midnight, Blue, Pink, GreenSilver, Graphite, Gold, Pacific Blue
PriceCheck iPhone 13 PriceCheck iPhone 12 Pro Price

What Common Both Can Do?

  • Display Technology: Both the iPhone 13 and iPhone 12 Pro feature a Super Retina XDR OLED display, providing vibrant colors, deep blacks, and high contrast ratios for a premium viewing experience.
  • Screen Size and Resolution: Both models come with a 6.1-inch display with a resolution of 1170 x 2532 pixels, offering sharp visuals and a consistent screen size, making them equally suitable for media consumption.
  • HDR and Brightness: Both devices support HDR10 and Dolby Vision, enhancing the dynamic range and providing more detailed highlights and shadows. The 1200 nits peak brightness ensures excellent visibility even in bright environments.
  • Operating System: Both phones run on iOS and support updates to the latest version, ensuring access to new features and security improvements.
  • Face ID: Both models are equipped with Face ID technology, providing secure biometric authentication and easy device unlocking.
  • 5G Connectivity: Both support 5G, offering faster download and upload speeds, improved streaming, and enhanced online gaming experiences.
  • MagSafe Compatibility: Both models include MagSafe support, allowing attachment of compatible accessories and wireless charging at 15W.
  • Water Resistance: Both devices have an IP68 rating, meaning they can withstand submersion in water up to 6 meters for 30 minutes, providing durability against spills and accidental drops in water.
  • Fast Charging: Both phones support 20W fast charging, enabling quick battery top-ups, reaching 50% charge in approximately 30 minutes.
  • Front Camera: Both feature a 12MP front-facing camera with 4K video recording and slow-motion support, ensuring high-quality selfies and video calls.
  • Stereo Speakers: Both devices come with stereo speakers, delivering a rich audio experience with balanced sound output.
  • Storage Options: Both iPhone 13 and iPhone 12 Pro offer storage options of 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB, allowing users to choose based on their storage needs.
  • Charging Port and Dual SIM: Both models use the Lightning port for charging and data transfer and support dual SIM functionality with a combination of Nano-SIM and eSIM, enhancing connectivity options.

Common Features

FeatureApple iPhone 13iPhone 12 Pro
Display TypeSuper Retina XDR OLEDSuper Retina XDR OLED
Screen Size6.1 inches6.1 inches
Resolution1170 x 2532 pixels1170 x 2532 pixels
Peak Brightness (HDR)1200 nits1200 nits
HDR SupportHDR10, Dolby VisionHDR10, Dolby Vision
Face IDYesYes
5G SupportYesYes
MagSafeYesYes
Water ResistanceIP68IP68
Wireless ChargingYesYes
Fast Charging20W20W
Video Recording4K Dolby Vision HDR up to 60fps4K Dolby Vision HDR up to 60fps
Front Camera12MP (f/2.2)12MP (f/2.2)
Front Camera Video4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps
Stereo SpeakersYesYes
Storage Options128GB, 256GB, 512GB128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Battery Charging PortLightningLightning
Dual SIM SupportNano-SIM and eSIMNano-SIM and eSIM
Price Check iPhone 13 Price Check iPhone 12 Pro Price

FAQ

Do both iPhone 13 and iPhone 12 Pro support 5G?
Yes, both the iPhone 13 and iPhone 12 Pro support 5G connectivity, allowing for faster internet speeds, lower latency, and improved streaming quality on compatible networks. Both models also support mmWave and sub-6GHz bands, ensuring wide compatibility with 5G networks worldwide.

Is the camera system on the iPhone 13 different from the iPhone 12 Pro?
Yes, the iPhone 13 has a dual-camera system (12MP wide and ultra-wide), while the iPhone 12 Pro features a triple-camera system (12MP wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto). The 12 Pro also includes a LiDAR scanner for enhanced AR experiences and improved low-light photography, which the iPhone 13 lacks.

Which phone has a better display: iPhone 13 or iPhone 12 Pro?
Both phones have a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a resolution of 1170 x 2532 pixels. They offer HDR10 and Dolby Vision support with peak brightness up to 1200 nits. The main difference lies in the build quality, where the iPhone 12 Pro’s display is reinforced with a stainless steel frame compared to the aluminum frame on the iPhone 13.

Does the iPhone 13 have more battery life compared to the iPhone 12 Pro?
Yes, the iPhone 13 has a larger battery capacity (3240 mAh) compared to the iPhone 12 Pro (2815 mAh), resulting in about 2 hours more video playback time. The iPhone 13 can last up to 19 hours on video playback, while the 12 Pro lasts around 17 hours.

Is there a difference in build quality between iPhone 13 and iPhone 12 Pro?
Yes, the iPhone 12 Pro has a more premium build with a stainless steel frame and a textured matte glass back, while the iPhone 13 features an aluminum frame with a glossy glass back. The 12 Pro feels slightly more robust and heavier compared to the lighter and slightly thicker iPhone 13.

Which device is lighter, the iPhone 13 or the iPhone 12 Pro?
The iPhone 13 weighs 174 grams, making it lighter than the iPhone 12 Pro, which weighs 189 grams. The difference in weight is primarily due to the iPhone 13’s aluminum frame versus the iPhone 12 Pro’s stainless steel frame.

Do both models support MagSafe accessories?
Yes, both the iPhone 13 and iPhone 12 Pro support MagSafe accessories. This includes wireless charging at 15W and compatibility with a wide range of MagSafe accessories like wallets, cases, and chargers.

Is the front camera the same on both iPhone 13 and iPhone 12 Pro?
Yes, both phones feature a 12MP TrueDepth front-facing camera with support for 4K video recording at 24, 30, or 60 fps. They also include features like Night mode, Deep Fusion, and Smart HDR 4, ensuring high-quality selfies and FaceTime calls.

Does the iPhone 13 have better video recording features compared to the iPhone 12 Pro?
The iPhone 13 introduces Cinematic mode, which allows for rack focusing while recording videos, giving a professional, film-like quality. The iPhone 12 Pro does not have this feature. However, both devices can record in 4K HDR with Dolby Vision.

Which iPhone is better for photography: iPhone 13 or iPhone 12 Pro?
The iPhone 12 Pro is better suited for professional photography due to its triple-camera system, including a telephoto lens and LiDAR scanner, enabling better portrait shots and low-light photography. The iPhone 13, with its dual-camera system, lacks these advanced features but still performs exceptionally well in everyday photography.

Are both phones water and dust resistant?
Yes, both the iPhone 13 and iPhone 12 Pro have an IP68 rating, which means they are water-resistant up to 6 meters for 30 minutes. They are also dust-resistant, providing protection against everyday exposure to liquids and dust particles.

Do both devices support dual SIM functionality?
Yes, both the iPhone 13 and iPhone 12 Pro support dual SIM with one physical Nano-SIM and one eSIM. This feature is useful for users who want to separate personal and work numbers or use two carriers simultaneously.

Is wireless charging supported on both models?
Yes, both the iPhone 13 and iPhone 12 Pro support wireless charging via MagSafe (up to 15W) and Qi-compatible charging (up to 7.5W). They also support fast charging via a wired connection using a 20W or higher power adapter.

What are the storage options available for iPhone 13 and iPhone 12 Pro?
Both devices offer similar storage configurations: 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. However, the iPhone 13 also comes with a 512GB option at a lower price point compared to the iPhone 12 Pro, which was initially more expensive at launch.